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“Jim and Brian,
I just received your Christmas card and was shocked at the news of Amber's passing. She was a blessing to all and the field of...Read More »
”
1 of 13 | Posted by: Linda Jones - Waddington, NY

“Jim and Brian,
I am saddened to hear of Amber's passing. I worked with her in Pensville. She always had a kind hello, and had an enchanting spirit....Read More »
”
2 of 13 | Posted by: Joanne Ercoli - Pensville, NJ

“Dear Brian and Jim,
We were so sad to hear of Amber's passing. She was one of a kind! We will always remember her laughter and unending...Read More »
”
3 of 13 | Posted by: Jeff and Pam Hogan - Pennsville, NJ

“I was so saddened to hear of her passing. I was a student in Pennsville from kindergarden through 12th grade. I had the very great fortune of being...Read More »
”
4 of 13 | Posted by: Cheryl Burns - former student

“Dear Jim,
My family is sending prayers your way. We have all been touched my Amber's kindness. She always had a way of making the day brighter. ...Read More »
”
5 of 13 | Posted by: Cheryl Guglielmo - Pennsville, NJ

“Amber was a teaching colleague of mine, in the Pennsville elementary schools. She was always a warm and smiling personality. She would bring me...Read More »
”
6 of 13 | Posted by: Diane Hartman - Pennsville, NJ

“Amber has been a friend since college. She would send me a birthday card every year even though we rarely saw each other. She was a wonderful...Read More »
”
7 of 13 | Posted by: Ron Morgan - Dublin, OH - Friend

“This is a tremendous loss to all who were part of Amber's life. Her heart was huge, her compassion never-ending, her care was there and she had...Read More »
”
8 of 13 | Posted by: Wendy Wands - Woodinville, WA

“Dear Jim,
I was so saddened to hear of Amber's passing - and surprised. I though we had so much more time. As I am sure you and she had hoped.
I...Read More »
”
9 of 13 | Posted by: Polly Straughen McAuliffe - FL

“Dear Jim and Brian---
Amber had a heart of gold and was such a kind, thoughtful friend who cared so much about others. Former students that she...Read More »
”
10 of 13 | Posted by: Pamela Wheatley - Pennsville, NJ

“Dear Jim,
I am so sorry. I know she will be missed. I wish I had know her better. I think of you often.
Love,
Heidi
”
11 of 13 | Posted by: Heidi Anderson - Dayton,, OH

“So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
John, Sue and Brian Maniglia
”
12 of 13 | Posted by: John Maniglia - Pennsville, NJ

“Dear Jim and Brian,
Len and I are so sorry for your loss. We had some great times working together, it was a lot of years. I was so glad she got...Read More »
”
13 of 13 | Posted by: Kathy Moore - Pennsville, NJ

ANN "AMBER" KNAUSS, age 66, of West Grove, PA, passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2013, at the Jennersville Regional Hospital. She leaves behind her life partner of 30 years, James Frank Straughn, Jr.

Born in Charleston, WVA, she was the daughter of the late Thomas L. and Agnes McNamara Burr, and step-daughter of Vivian Burr of Wilmington, DE.

She was an Elementary School Teacher at the Pennsville School District, Pennsville, NJ, retiring in 2011, after 40 years of service.

Amber was a member of the Delaware Nature Society, Philadelphia Zoological Society, Winterthur and Longwood Gardens.

She enjoyed gardening, going to Museums, but was best known by her family and friends for her sending of cards to them on their birthday and holidays.

In addition to her significant other and step-mother, she is survived by one son, Brian K. Knauss of San Francisco, CA ; one sister, Jane Diffendall and her husband George of Wilmington, DE.

She was predeceased by one sister, Mary M. Burr.

Services and burial will be private

In memory of Amber, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Attn. Memorials, 1626 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or to the Delaware Nature Society, P.O. Box 700, Hockessin, DE 19707

If you would like to add additional photos, videos or other content to this obituary, it will need to be upgraded to an Eternal Tribute with the funeral home's assistance. Please click the link below for the funeral home's contact information.

Memories & Candles

Jim and Brian,
I just received your Christmas card and was shocked at the news of Amber's passing. She was a blessing to all and the field of education has suffered a great loss. She was a true professional who loved her students and honored her career with her sincere caring nature and hard work.
May God bless you and comfort you both for she was proud of you and loved you dearly. She will be sadly missed.
Love, Linda Jones

Posted by: Linda Jones - Waddington, NY - friend Dec 24, 2013

Jim and Brian,
I am saddened to hear of Amber's passing. I worked with her in Pensville. She always had a kind hello, and had an enchanting spirit. Brian, she always spoke of you with such pride and love. May your memories sustain you during this sad time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Joanne Ercoli

Posted by: Joanne Ercoli - Pensville, NJ - co-worker Oct 15, 2013

Dear Brian and Jim,
We were so sad to hear of Amber's passing. She was one of a kind! We will always remember her laughter and unending thoughtfulness. We hope you find some comfort knowing that others loved her and will miss her very much. You are in our thoughts and prayers,
Jeff and Pam

Posted by: Jeff and Pam Hogan - Pennsville, NJ - friends Oct 15, 2013

I was so saddened to hear of her passing. I was a student in Pennsville from kindergarden through 12th grade. I had the very great fortune of being taught by Mrs. Knauss in 4th grade and will always remember her as one of my favorite teachers. She was such a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher. She continued to inspire my love of reading and books. She also introduced me and my classmates to local treasures such as The Brandywine Battlefield and

... more

I was so saddened to hear of her passing. I was a student in Pennsville from kindergarden through 12th grade. I had the very great fortune of being taught by Mrs. Knauss in 4th grade and will always remember her as one of my favorite teachers. She was such a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher. She continued to inspire my love of reading and books. She also introduced me and my classmates to local treasures such as The Brandywine Battlefield and The Brandywine River Museum; places I still enjoy visiting as an adult. I have so many wonderful memories of my time in her classroom. She was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Cheryl Raleigh Burns
former student

Posted by: Cheryl Burns - former student Oct 14, 2013

Dear Jim,
My family is sending prayers your way. We have all been touched my Amber's kindness. She always had a way of making the day brighter. She shared so many wonderful lessons with the students about caring for the environment. We had an instant connection when we started discussing our shared love for nature. I feel as though she taught me, as well as the many students who walked down our hallways. She had a way of sending a card at the perfect time. She just had that special instinct.

Love,
Cheryl Guglielmo

Posted by: Cheryl Guglielmo - Pennsville, NJ - Friend Oct 14, 2013

Amber was a teaching colleague of mine, in the Pennsville elementary schools. She was always a warm and smiling personality. She would bring me small gifts to brighten my day, and she was a wonderful support to me in the classroom.

Amber also knew my children, and she made them feel special. We will never forget the connection we had as fellow Beatles fans! Thank you, for the letters, post cards and holiday greetings, Amber. May you find peace in the arms of God.

Posted by: Diane Hartman - Pennsville, NJ - Friend Oct 14, 2013

Amber has been a friend since college. She would send me a birthday card every year even though we rarely saw each other. She was a wonderful person and I'm sure she will be missed. My condolences go out to all of her family and friends.

Posted by: Ron Morgan - Dublin, OH - Friend Oct 13, 2013

This is a tremendous loss to all who were part of Amber's life. Her heart was huge, her compassion never-ending, her care was there and she had opened arms at all times. Amber was a collegue and friend of my parents as teachers in Pennsville. I got to know her the winter I substituted at Central Park for her 4th grade class. As I moved from NJ, holiday cards started to arrive from Amber and I don't just mean Christmas,

... more

This is a tremendous loss to all who were part of Amber's life. Her heart was huge, her compassion never-ending, her care was there and she had opened arms at all times. Amber was a collegue and friend of my parents as teachers in Pennsville. I got to know her the winter I substituted at Central Park for her 4th grade class. As I moved from NJ, holiday cards started to arrive from Amber and I don't just mean Christmas, every holiday there is in a year, plus remembering my Birthday! I too am a card fanatic, so we had this connection which kept us close, always knowing we were out there...as the fall approached, and I did not receive the annual Halloween card I knew something was amiss. A call from Jim realized my concern, Amber had passed away. This is a sad time for all of those connected to this beautiful human being. Amber, have peace and tranquility and "thank you" for all you gave to me in my life.
Wendy (Tabb) Wands

Posted by: Wendy Wands - Woodinville, WA - friend Oct 13, 2013

Dear Jim,
I was so saddened to hear of Amber's passing - and surprised. I though we had so much more time. As I am sure you and she had hoped.
I always loved family events when we were together with you and Amber. Amber was so great at bringing us all together and getting the conversation going. She had a way about her at those social events! And even though it had been quite a while since we were together,

... more

Dear Jim,
I was so saddened to hear of Amber's passing - and surprised. I though we had so much more time. As I am sure you and she had hoped.
I always loved family events when we were together with you and Amber. Amber was so great at bringing us all together and getting the conversation going. She had a way about her at those social events! And even though it had been quite a while since we were together, I will always remember her great smile and sweet way of greeting me.
I know you have 30 years of memories together and that will help you now but know also that I am thinking of you and keeping you in my heart.
Big hug,
Polly

Dear Jim and Brian---
Amber had a heart of gold and was such a kind, thoughtful friend who cared so much about others. Former students that she strived to stay in touch with--and always remembered-- were all so fortunate! Her enthusiasm and laugh were contagious, and she gained such joy from all nature around her--I am so sorry. The world has lost such a great spirit!--that will be missed. I will miss her deeply.
Love,
Pam

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